Arizona Cardinals–Los Angeles Rams Trade History

Arizona acquired quarterback Jim Hardy from Los Angeles in September 1949, giving up its 1950 first-round choice, which became No. 9 overall Ralph Pasquariello, plus cash. Hardy became the Cardinals' regular quarterback and earned a 1950 Pro Bowl selection, while Pasquariello played only nine games for the Rams before later joining the Cardinals. That realized return gives Arizona the stronger result.

Arizona Cardinals received Gerry Cowhig; Bob Shaw; Tom Keane in the 1950-06-02 exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Bob Shaw became a useful Cardinals player and the three-player return had real depth, but it did not quite equal the peak value Los Angeles received. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Arizona Cardinals surrendered, the result supports Los Angeles Rams Win and a B- grade for Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona received rookies Jerrell Price and Gordon Polofsky for tackle John Hock. Polofsky provided useful service for the Cardinals, giving the club a real return rather than an empty exchange, but the package did not match Hock's longer and more distinguished Rams career. The B- grade credits Arizona's useful compensation while recognizing the stronger value that ultimately landed in Los Angeles.

The 1954 three-team deal delivered Richard "Night Train" Lane, Len Teeuws and Bob Morgan to the Cardinals. The Rams received Don Doll from Washington plus Volney Peters, while Washington received Don Paul from the Cardinals. Lane immediately remained one of football's premier defensive backs, making his move to the Cardinals the defining value swing in a complicated three-club exchange.

Multi-team transaction also involving Washington Commanders.

Arizona captured the strongest long-term value in the January 30, 1954 three-team trade. The Cardinals received Night Train Lane, Len Teeuws and Bob Morgan; Lane became a six-year secondary star for the franchise and Teeuws became a four-year starter. Washington also created useful value by later turning Don Paul into Johnny Carson and Dale Atkeson, while the Rams' direct return proved much shorter-lived.

Los Angeles acquired Hall of Fame halfback Ollie Matson from the Chicago Cardinals for seven named players, a 1960 second-round pick that became Mike McGee, and a training-camp player obligation later converted into the 1960 fourth-round pick used on Silas Woods. Matson produced immediately for the Rams, but the Cardinals received one of the largest multi-asset packages of the era.

Arizona Cardinals received Mike LaHood, while Los Angeles Rams received John Wilbur. Mike LaHood also provided modest value after arriving in St. Louis. The Cardinals did not receive a return strong enough to create clear separation from the Rams. In hindsight, that direct return supports a C+ grade for Arizona Cardinals. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.

On 1971-10-20, Arizona Cardinals received undisclosed draft pick (selection not identified), while Los Angeles Rams received Don Parish. The hindsight verdict is Los Angeles/Cleveland/St. Louis Rams Win, with Arizona Cardinals graded C+ and Los Angeles Rams graded B. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while treating conditional terms and later draft outcomes as context rather than as assets exchanged directly on trade day.

Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received Jeff Staggs, 1973 third round pick (#63-Terry Metcalf) in the 1972-08-12 exchange with Los Angeles Rams. St. Louis acquired linebacker Jeff Staggs and the 1973 third-round choice that became Terry Metcalf for quarterback Pete Beathard. The documented result supports a A- grade for Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals. The overall verdict is Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Win, based on realized value rather than hypothetical upside.

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals received no lasting player value because Iman failed the physical. The transaction therefore produced no usable roster return for St. Louis. The D grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Los Angeles Rams, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Even Trade.

Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received the 1979 eighth-round selection at No. 218 for Jerry Latin. The Cardinals later moved that pick to Kansas City, so their direct benefit was the draft currency rather than the player eventually selected there. The asset retained some value, but it did not produce a stronger direct return than Latin gave Los Angeles, supporting a C+.

Arizona received a conditional fifth-round selection that ultimately became No. 135, Pat O'Neill. The pick carried real transaction value, but O'Neill did not become a significant NFL contributor. The Cardinals therefore realized only modest long-term football return from the exchange. That limited outcome closely matches what the Rams received from Ernie Jones and supports a balanced grade rather than a clear winner.

Arizona traded Aeneas Williams to the Rams on April 21, 2001 for the 54th and 123rd picks. The Cardinals used those selections on Michael Stone and Marcus Bell. Williams, already a decorated veteran, became an immediate centerpiece for St. Louis, helping the Rams reach Super Bowl XXXVI and later earning Hall of Fame induction. The draft return did not approach his post-trade impact, giving the Rams a clear win.